For this week’s blog
post I wanted to check out and share Opportunity, Nasa’s Mars rover. On July 07,
2003 Nasa launched two rovers from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
Nasa sent these rovers, the second being Opportunity, to Terra Meridiana a
region on the surface of Mars. The mission was originally planned to be 90
days. The rover was to land on the surface and traverse the terrain searching
for signs of life. Opportunity is still operating and continuing its mission to
this day nearly a decade and a half later. The rover is currently in the
Endeavour Crater.
In line with Opportunity’s
mission, the rover had made several important discoveries. The rover uncovered sensational
evidence that Mars had in its past, “stayed wet for an extended period and that
conditions could have been suitable for sustaining microbial life.”
Opportunity found this
evidence utilizing its sensors and powered by its solar cells mounted on top of
its structure. The rover’s scientific instruments include a: panoramic camera,
microscopic imager, Miniature
Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES), Mossbauer Spectrometer (MB), Alpha
Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS), Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT), Magnet arrays, Hazard
Avoidance Cameras (Hazcams), Navigation Cameras (Navcams). Many of these tools
are to perform scientific tests on its environment and determine scientific
data, while some of the sensors are to keep the rover safe and provide the
capability to travel and navigate. Similar to some of the current UAS or drone
markets platforms with sense and avoid.
Resources:
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/mars-exploration-rover-opportunity-mer/
Resources:
https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/mars-exploration-rover-opportunity-mer/
